Page 102 - Age of onset of disruptive behavior of residentially treated adolescents -Sjoukje de Boer

Discharge status
Discharge status was determined based on how treatment was terminated according to the therapist involved. In line with the preferred definition of dropout of De Haan and colleagues (De Haan et al., 2013), this resulted in two groups of participants: completers, those who terminated treatment in accordance with the therapist, and dropouts, those who prematurely terminated treatment while the therapist (or the patient) thinks further treatment is actually needed. The latter group was further subdivided into those who terminated treatment against the advice of the therapist (withdrawals), and those who were expelled (pushouts) (Boon & Colijn, 2001).
General daily functioning in the eighteen months after discharge
In order to have an indication of the general daily functioning of the participants in the eighteen months after discharge, four components were distinguished: ‘stability of living condition’, ‘daytime activities’, ‘substance usage’, and ‘criminal offending’. Each of the four components was rated (positive = 2, dubious = 1, or negative = 0) by the research assistant. The components combined formed an estimation of general daily functioning, with a score ranging from 0 to 8.
The component ‘stability of living condition’ was coded as positive when there had been a stable living condition (e.g., living with parents or family, living independently or in sheltered housing), with no more than one or two changes. It was coded as negative when the participant had been incarcerated, had been admitted to a restrictive psychiatric facility or a crisis shelter, in case of having no fixed abode, or when there had been ongoing changes of housing situation. It was coded dubious when there had been more than two changes in housing situation, but the nature of the living conditions in itself was favorable.
Having any kind of ‘daytime activities’ since discharge was coded as positive. These activities may include work or education, but also volunteer activities or occupational therapy. When the participant had no daytime activities most of the eighteen months or if the daytime activities consisted of committing crimes or other rule violations, this was coded as negative. In the case of alternating having and not having a daytime activity, this was coded as dubious.
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